Willian and Fernandinho receive deserved call-ups to the Brazil squad

Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has called-up Willian and Fernandinho to his squad for next month’s friendly against South Africa in Johannesburg.

There are few arguing against the call-ups with the midfielders putting in fine displays for their respective clubs, Chelsea (Willian) and Fernandinho (Manchester City) in the Premier League.

Willian’s impressive performances have seen him retain his place in Scolari’s setup, which also made room for 28-year-old Fernandinho.

A former teammate of Willian’s at Shaktar Donetsk, the 28-year-old also debuted for Brazil under Menezes but is making Scolari’s list for the first itme.

The powerful midfielder has partnered Yaya Toure at City to create one of the more dynamic central midfield partnerships in European football.

Willian, meanwhile, is already a favourite of Blues manager Jose Mourinho and the winger is seen as even more a creative asset at Chelsea following the departure of the Spaniard Juan Mata.

The players will be keen to please Scolari, who told reporters on Tuesday to expect more selection surprises between now and the World Cup.

“I am always observing. There might still be another surprise in the final squad. We can never be sure the ones we are going to choose will be in the optimum condition when it comes time to choose our final squad,” said the 65-year-old.